Aerodynamically gliding ball

ABSTRACT

An aerodynamic flying toy ball apparatus comprised of a plurality of semi-rigid uniformly shaped semicircular fins joined along, and equiangularly arranged radially around a longitudinal axis, balanced for aerodynamic gliding flight to create a stable 3-D ball shaped glider capable of gliding and maneuvering (climbing, turning and looping) as a gliding airplane. The apparatus resembles a ball and can roll on the ground. The apparatus can be made from a variety of lightweight materials.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/420,637 to James D. Zongker filed on Nov. 11, 2017.

FIELD

The embodiments presented provide an aerodynamically gliding ball, and in particular, to a heavier-than-air winged toy ball comprised of a plurality of fins affixed along a longitudinal axis which enable aerodynamically gliding flight.

BACKGROUND

Throwing toys make up some of the most basic and prolific toys in the industry, comprising the key component in several sports and other recreational games such as baseball, basketball, football, etc. Many of these throwing toys are spherical or ball-shaped, and despite some slight variations, are generally solid or comprised of a semi-rigid outer shell filled with air to maintain the shape of the throwing toy. These throwing toys, and especially those used in various sports, have evolved and have been developed to produce specific results and allow the users to interact with the ball in various ways either directly or through tools such as a baseball bat. Many throwing balls have further been developed to permit the user to alter the flight path by introducing spin to the ball, changing both the maximum distance the ball may travel and its general trajectory.

Novel throwing toys have been introduced over the years to further incorporate the benefits of aerodynamics. These aerodynamic toys have taken several forms, primarily either adding additional components to the exterior of a common ball structure such as wings and parachutes, or making the toy more planar such as the case with various flying discs. Aerodynamic toys which build off of a more commonly constructed ball-shaped base typically attempt to benefit from the ease and predictability of use offered by a common ball, with the modification merely enhancing or altering the enjoyment and performance of the ball.

Aerodynamic toys such as flying rings, balsa and foam gliders and paper airplanes on the other hand are typically designed to manipulate the flow of air to produce lift, enhance stability, stay airborne through aerodynamic flight and may permit further maneuvering. By incorporating flat surfaces which may be easily gripped and making the toys lightweight by design, these toys allow users of all ages and sizes to effectively enjoy and utilize the recreational toy.

Systems and methods which disclose throwing toys have been known in the art, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,753 to Perez, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,101 to Saloor. Further, throwing toys which incorporate aerodynamic modifications into the projectile are known in the art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,616 to Bushman. However, there is no single invention or combination which disclose the features provided in the embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein provide a light-weight aerodynamically shaped toy ball comprised of plurality of semi-circular fins joined along the longitudinal axis and designed to be thrown by the user by grasping one of the fins with a single hand and launching the apparatus in a manner similar to throwing a glider or cupped front end forward and thrown like a ball. The apparatus includes a plurality of semi-circular fins equilaterally equiangularly spaced around the longitudinal axis which traverses the front to back length of the apparatus. Further, each of the semicircular fins is uniformly shaped with the same diameter equal to the length of the core longitudinal axis extending between the front and back of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured having a center of gravity located as required to aerodynamically glide front end first. The forward and outer edges of the semicircular fins may be made thicker (20 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3) or denser to stiffen the craft for flight, throwing and impact resistance, and achieve the required balance for sustained gliding flight. Solid semicircular fins (without holes in the surfaces) will require the embodiment balance forward of the geometric center of the sphere corresponding to the outer edges of the fins.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes six semi-circular fins as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, a minimum of three semi-circular fins are required for gliding and creating a 3-D ball shape. Fewer fins have less drag for a flatter glide that can fly farther, whereas, more fins appear more like a spherical ball and roll more like a ball upon landing.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerodynamically gliding ball;

FIG. 2 illustrates a further view of the apparatus including the CG and direction of flight;

FIG. 3 illustrates an additional layer of fin material at the front end;

FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment including a hole removed from a portion of a fin; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment with a hole removed from the front portion of the fin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Any reference to “invention” within this document is a reference to an embodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including features that are necessarily included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be references to “advantages” provided by some embodiments, other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the aerodynamically gliding ball. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

Specific quantities, dimensions, spatial characteristics, compositional characteristics and performance characteristics may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, but such specific quantities are presented as examples only and are approximate values unless otherwise indicated. Discussions and depictions pertaining to these, if present, are presented as examples only and do not limit the applicability of other characteristics, unless otherwise indicated.

The apparatus described illustrates a spherical aerodynamically gliding ball which is a heavier than air winged ball toy apparatus comprised of a plurality of identically shaped semi-circular fins intersecting at longitudinal axis which extends from the front to the back of the apparatus. The apparatus may be grasped with a thumb and one or more fingers on a fin to be launched in a manner similar to throwing a profile balsa glider or paper airplane by its keel or wing, or cupped in the hand front side forward and thrown like a ball.

The invention is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers represent like parts throughout the several views. Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present aerodynamic toy apparatus 10 is depicted. In this embodiment, the apparatus 10 has a substantially spherical 3-D form and includes a plurality semi-circular shaped fins 14 equiangularly spaced about the longitudinal centerline axis (i.e., core) 16 having an axial length 17 of 3 inches defined by the diameter of each semicircular fin 14.

In the preferred embodiment, the leading edge 23 includes approximately a 0.03-inch uniform thickness (1% of longitudinal axis length) which has been demonstrated to be thin enough to enable stable flight and support impact force from the ground while landing and rolling.

It is further contemplated the semicircular fins of the apparatus 10 is comprised of a light-weight rigid paper material with a density defined between 70-80 Grams per Square Meter (GSM) with all added parts consisting of 200 GSM cardstock. The light weight paper and cardstock includes a high strength-to-thickness ratio to maintain its semi-rigid design. However, any sufficient rigid or semi-rigid material such as cardstock, balsa wood, foam, plastic, or composite material may be used as long as it provides a high enough stiffness to weight ratio and can be kept thin and stiff to minimize drag and optimize flight performance and stability.

Shown in FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment wherein the center of gravity 22 is longitudinally positioned forward of the mid-point of the axis 24 a distance between ⅕th and ⅙th of the length of the longitudinal axis 24 to provide stability during flight.

It is further contemplated that the material thickness and durometer of each of the semi-circular shaped fins 14 be pre-selected based on routine use, impact, and desired roll characteristics without comprising the structural integrity of the apparatus. The apparatus 10 is configured to roll any direction at high speed, or end over end at low speed till it comes to rest, typically with the front end 18 oriented and in contact with at least a portion of the ground surface.

During use, the apparatus 10 is thrown into the air like a balsa glider or paper airplane while gripped by a thumb and finger(s) on one of the plurality of semi-circular fins 14, or cupped like a ball with the front pointed forward and thrown. The flight trajectory is determined by the fin trim setting, launch speed, bank angle, climb or dive angle and wind,

Alternative embodiments such as those illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 include cut holes in semi-circular shaped fins 14 to enhance to enhance lift. As illustrated, the cut holes are to be centered farther slightly aft of the center of the apparatus 10 to ensure a balanced and stable flight.

Another alternative embodiment, which may be combined with the above embodiment, extends each fin span wise (away from the longitudinal axis centerline) by replacing the semicircular edge with an elliptical edge with an elliptical edge with its minor (shorter) diameter along the longitudinal axis identical to the original semicircle diameter, and its major diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis increased such when the apparatus rests on level ground on 2 adjacent fin edges with its longitudinal axis level, the center of the longitudinal axis height above the ground equals half the minor diameter, such as the apparatus rolls along fin edges, the center of the its longitudinal axis remains a constant distance above the ground. By combining this with the above alternative embodiment with holes in the fins that permit balancing the apparatus at the center of the longitudinal axis, the apparatus will not tend to stop rolling end over end at a certain attitude to minimize potential energy, thus enabling it to roll far on a smooth level surface much like a round ball.

An alternative embodiment includes the bending or curving of the fins as is done on a paper or balsa glider, to act as flight controls or trim tabs to regulate pitch, roll and yaw for gliding or maneuvering as is done with existing airplane art.

Another alternative embodiment balances the craft with nearly neutral stability such it tends to glide with flat surfaces (i.e., no up elevator) which permits a stable glide with plurality semi-circular shaped fins 14 in a nearly vertical position and perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline axis 16.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiments are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A light weight throwable winged ball apparatus; the apparatus comprising: a spherically-shaped ball-like toy glider comprised of a plurality of semi-circular fins equiangularly spaced and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis and configured to achieve aerodynamic gliding flight.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of semi-circular fins include a dimensioned fin structure to provide a stable glide path during flight.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dimensioned fin structure is comprised of a material having a higher density than a density of the semi-circular fins
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of semi-circular fins is configured to be adjusted to provide a trim control.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length of the longitudinal axis is further defined as a uniform diameter of the plurality of semi-circular fins.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a center of gravity located between ⅕th and ⅙th of a diameter forward of a midpoint of the axis.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a weighted front portion to provide a stable gliding path during flight.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of semi-circular fins is further defined as at least three.
 9. A throwable paper-based winged ball apparatus; the apparatus comprising: a spherically-shaped toy member including: a longitudinal axis extending between a front and a back of the apparatus and configured to releasably secure a plurality uniformly configured semi-circular fins; and a plurality of semi-circular fins having an affixed and dimensioned stability fin.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a center a gravity located approximated 0.5-0.6 inches forward of a midpoint of the longitudinal axis which is 3 inches in length.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is comprised of a semi-rigid paper material having a uniform thickness between 70-80 grams per square meter.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of semi-circular fins is configured to be manually curved in a vertical and a horizontal position to provide a trim adjustment.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a weighted front portion to provide a stable gliding path during flight.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of semi-circular fins is further defined as at least three.
 15. A throwable paper-based winged ball apparatus; the apparatus comprising: a spherically-shaped toy member including: a longitudinal axis extending between a front and a back of the apparatus and configured to releasably secure a plurality of outwardly protruding and uniform semi-circular fins; and a plurality of semi-circular fins having an affixed and dimensioned stability fin equiangularly spaced to each other and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis to achieve aerodynamic gliding flight.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein center a gravity is located between 0.5-0.6 inches forward of a midpoint of the longitudinal axis which is 3 inches in length.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprised of a semi-rigid and resilient material having a uniform thickness between 70-80 grams per square meter.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, further including a weighted frontal region to provide a stable gliding path during flight. 